Method and system for covering surfaces with decorative panels

ABSTRACT

A system and a method for covering of wall or ceiling or any other surfaces of a premise and/or an open space setting. The system has at least two panels, i.e. an outwardly facing, external covering panel, which is provided with at least one decorative element and a back, infrastructure panel provided with an attachment plain and a support plain.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 61/924,263, filed Jan. 7. 2014, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to covering of walls (outdoorand indoor) and ceiling of a building and/or creating settings of anopen space. It should be appreciated however, that the present inventionis not limited merely to covering of internal surfaces of a building.The present invention would be suitable as well for covering surfaces ofany other premise, building etc., e.g. outside façade of a building,inside decoration of a vehicle, like a cabin of a yacht, train,airplane, bus, liner etc. and for creating surfaces in open spaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are known in the art various systems for covering of surfaces of apremise, e.g. walls, ceiling and roof.

The known in the art systems comprise panels made of shapeable material(plastic, metal etc.) which are secured immediately on the coveredsurface by virtue of nails or any other suitable fastening means, or areglued or adhered by any other suitable method in partially overlappingrelation to each other. An example of such a system is disclosed in USpatent publication 2005/0050822, in which is described a panel forinstallation thereof on a ceiling as a component of a matrix grid ofsimilar panels.

Another example of such a system is disclosed in US publication2012/0234068, which describes a decorative panel made of a material thatcan be shaped. The panel is provided with two female mounting portionand two male portions. The female portions have punched holes forfastening the panels directly to surface.

Some drawbacks of systems employing direct adherence of decorativepanels are associated with their limited possibility to resist outsideloads since they are not supported from inside. The consequence of thislimitation is relatively limited ability of the decorative planes tobear decorative pattern. Furthermore due to this limitation it might benot possible to shape the panels with certain decorative patterns havingtiny details since thickness of the panels should be sufficient enoughfor rendering strength to the panel body. One can readily appreciatethat this requirement renders such panels relatively expensive.

Still further disadvantage of such panels lies in the fact that they arenot suitable for arranging wiring ducts on their inwardly facingsurface.

There are also known in the art veneer decorative panels securable onthe surface with the aim of a backing connecting systems.

An example of such system can be found in international publication WO03/095760, describing decorative wall panel interlock system with upwardmovement. This system comprises a plurality of plastic panels eachhaving a boy portion formed with rows of simulated building elements.The panels are mounted on support surface with a lower marginal edgeregion of one panel overlying an upper marginal region of a previouslymounted panel.

Another example of such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,809,709, describing surface covering system comprising a coveringmember and a support structure for supporting the covering member andremovable retaining thereof.

These systems allow deployment of ducts for hidden wiring, neverthelesssince they employ relatively thick rigid panels the above mentioneddeficiency associated with cost and/or limited design remains.

Still further deficiency of systems disclosed in the prior art isassociated with the uneven load distribution caused by weight of thecovering decorative member on walls and ceilings. This uneven loaddistribution takes place since the weight of the outside decorativeelement is concentrated not on the total area of the support structurebut merely on the certain locations of the support structure, like edgesof the panels or backing lines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the difficulties and drawbacks associated with previous wallcovering and ceiling systems it will be advantageous to provide a methodand system employing thin decorative panels which solves the previousproblems while providing a more efficient system with unlimited designoptions and an option for hidden wiring and lighting solutions.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a method andsystem for decorative covering of walls (interior and exterior) and/orceiling of a premise and/or setting of an open space by providingpartitions delimiting certain area in the open space. In accordance withthe present invention the system comprises at least two panels made forexample of a plastic material, while one panel is an infrastructurepanel and the second panel is an external covering panel. Theinfrastructure panel comprises a back, or an attachment plain securableimmediately on the surface to be covered or on an airy infrastructurepartition in open spaces, while the opposite plain of the infrastructurepanel being intended for supporting of the second panel. The external,covering panel comprises a face provided with a decorative pattern. Theback plain of the infrastructure panel is provided with array ofsubstructures, separated by walls and designed to support and at thesame time to removable secure the covering panel on the infrastructurepanel. By virtue of this provision the covering panel can be madesufficiently thin so as to shape on it a pattern having tiny details.Furthermore the covering panel can be laminated, if required, bymaterials, rendering it flexible and it can be designed so as to impartmodularity and possibility for continuous changeable facing.

It is an objective of the present invention to form a method and systemfor decorative cover of walls (interior and exterior) and ceiling andpartitions used for delimiting open space settings using at least twopanels made of recycled plastic material and hence to allow saving costsof the system and at the same time render it environmentally friendly.

It is still further an objective of the present invention to provide asystem for decorative cover of walls of an premise or creatingpartitions for delimiting settings in open space having at least oneinfrastructure panel and an external covering panel which is removablesecurable on infrastructure panel such that location of the coveringpanel can be changed and by virtue of this provision a face free styledesign would be possible, where the installer and later on the user canchange positions of the covering panels from time to time in order tochange the look of the wall or the ceiling and create ever changingambient.

It is still further objective of the present invention to provide amethod and a system for decorative cover of walls of a premise, whichallows deployment of hidden wiring or piping therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matte regarded as the invention is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification.The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation,together with objects, features and advantages thereof may best beunderstood by reference to the following detailed description when readwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A 1B and 1C are illustrations of exemplary infrastructure panelsaccording to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2A shows an infrastructure panels partially covered by externalpanels according to some embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2B, 2C, and 2D are detailed cross section views of theinfrastructure panel and external panels illustrated in FIG. 2A;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic illustrations of different types ofsurfaces partially covered with infrastructure panels and externalpanels from different vies, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4A is an illustration of a wall or a screen according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4B and 4C are detailed vies of cross sections of elements of thewall or screen illustrated in FIG. 4A;

FIGS. 5A, 5B. 5C, 5D and 5E are different examples of external panelsaccording to embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for installing external panelsaccording to embodiments of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustrationelements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale.For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements for clarity. Further, where consideredappropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures toindicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention.However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that thepresent invention may be practiced without these specific details. Inother instances, well known methods, procedures, and components have notbeen described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an assembly for installingpanels on a surface, such as a wall or ceiling. The apparatus maycomprise at least one infrastructure panel and at least one externalpanel.

With reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B. and 1C, infrastructure panel 100 may beformed as an array of substructures 110. According to some embodimentsof the present invention, each substructure 110 may have at least oneinfrastructure attachment plain 112 and at least one support plain 111.Infrastructure attachment plains 112 and support plains 111 may bespaced apart from each other by at least one wall 113. Wall 113 may besubstantially perpendicular to infrastructure attachment plains 112.According to some embodiments of the present invention, wall 113 mayalso be perpendicular to support plain 111. However, it should beappreciated that, according to other embodiments, support plain 111 maynot be parallel to infrastructure attachment plain 112.

According to some embodiments, walls 113, infrastructure attachmentplains 112, support plains 111 and external panel (500A-500E in FIGS.5A-5E) may create a plurality of cavities there between. However, sincepressure applied to support plains is directed through wall or walls 113to an attachment surface 105, sufficient pressure resistance isobtained.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, infrastructurepanel 100 may be thermoformed from appropriate materials, such aspolyvinylchloride (PVC), Polycarbonate, and any other thermoplasticpolymers known in art. It should be understood that other formingtechnics may he used, such as pressing or injection, and that othermaterials as may appropriate according to the forming process used inorder to form infrastructure panel 100. For example panel 100 may beformed by pressing of organic materials, such as wood chips or paper, orby pressing of metal sheets or by metal casting. Alternatively panel 100may be formed by plastic injection.

According to some embodiments, infrastructure panel 100 may he formed ofa film of material have thickness in the range of 0.5-2.0 millimeters(mm), thus allowing cutting, by standard cutting means such as scissorsor knife, of infrastructure panel 100 between substructures 110, alongniches 120, and even though substructures 110, to fit to any surface 105dimension, comers and the like. It should be further appreciated thatsurface 105 may be a wall a ceiling or even an infrastructure panel(400′ in FIG. 4C), placed hack to back with panel 100.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, infrastructurepanel 100 and external panel (500A-500E in FIGS. 5A-5E) may bemanufactured from non-toxic materials, and may be heat resistant andwashable.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, eachinfrastructure attachment plain 112 may be adapted to allow attaching ofinfrastructure panel 100 to surface 105. It should be appreciated bythose skilled in the art of attaching of infrastructure attachment plain112 to surface 105 may be by means of adhesives, plaster, screws, rivetsand any other attaching means known in the art.

According to some embodiments, each support plain 111 may be adapted toengage a portion of an external panel (500A-500E in FIGS. 5A-5E) andprovide the external panel structural support.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, infrastructurepanel 100 may be transparent or partially transparent to allow light topath through.

As may be seen in FIG. 2A one or more infrastructure 100 may be coveredby one or more external panels 200. Each external panel 200 may have aface 205 and edges 210.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, one or more ofedges 210 of external panels 200 may be bent rearwards (i.e., towardsthe surface to be covered and/or the infrastructure attachment plain).According to some embodiments, when external panel 200 is installed,bent edges 210 may be substantially perpendicular to surface (105 inFIG. 1A) and/or to infrastructure attachment plain (112 in FIG. 1A)

With reference to FIGS. 2B, 2C and 2D, according to some embodiments ofthe present invention, infrastructure panel 100 may have one or moreniches 120 between proximal substructures 110 each of niches 120 may beadapted to receive at least an edge 210 a of one external panel 200 andat least another edge 210 b in FIG. 2B of another external panel 200.

As may be seen in FIG. 2B, 2C and 2D, external panels 200 may havedifferent shapes. According to one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 2B,external panel face 205 may be flat. According to other embodiments,such as, for example, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2C, face 205may not be flat and may be protruding from support plain 111 ofinfrastructure panel 100.

As may further seen in FIG. 2C, according to sonic embodiments of thepresent invention, a mediating panel 230 may be introduced betweensupport plane 111 of infrastructure panel 100 and face 205 of externalpanel 200. It should be appreciated that mediating panel 230 may serveas an adaptor to fit external panels 200 having special shapes to auniversal infrastructure panel 100.

As may further be seen in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D, infrastructure panel100 may be formed as a matrix or array of substructures 110. Forexample. infrastructure panel 100 may formed as a matrix or array ofsubstructures 110. It should be appreciated that any other arraydimension may be used and other shapes of infrastructure panel 100 maybe used. For example, some of substructures 110 in row or column ofsubstructures 110 array may be removed to create an uneven number ofsubstances 110 in different rows or columns.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, externalpanels 200A and 200B may be installed on infrastructure panel 100 byintroducing edges 210 into niches 120 between proximal substructures110. It should he appreciated by those skilled in the art that externalpanels 200A and 200B may be further fastened to infrastructure panel byany fastening means known in the art, such as by adhesives, plaster andthe like.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, each of niches120 may be adapted to receive and retain at least two edges 210 ofproximal external panels 200A and 200B. For example, each of niches 120may have an opening in the range of 0.1-10.0 mm. According to someembodiments niches 120 may have a depth that substantially equals thedistance between support plain 111 and infrastructure attachment plain112 (i.e., equals the height of wall 113).

According to some embodiments, the depth of the niches 120 may be in therange of 10-30 mm. It should be appreciated that other depths may beused.

According to some embodiments, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 2D,face 205 of external panel 200 may have cavity 208 to receive a fillingsuch as stone, metal, marble tiles, ceramic tiles carpet or textilematerial, noise absorbing material and the like. It should beappreciated that a combination of filling materials may be used. Itshould be appreciated that additional or alternative filling materialsmay be used.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic illustrations of different types ofsurfaces partially covered embodiments of the present invention. As seenin FIGS. 3A and 3B, surface 305 may be a wall or a ceiling. Surface 305may be continues, as seen in FIGS. 3A or recessed surface 305 asillustrated in FIG. 3B. It should be appreciated that other surfaces 305may be covered according to embodiments of the present invention,channels 306 for wiring, pipes and the like may be passed betweensurface 305 and infrastructure panels 300. According to otherembodiments, channels 306 may be passed between neighboringinfrastructure panels 300.

As seen in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, a structure 402 such as a wall or ascreen may be created by connecting a plurality of infrastructure panels400 and a plurality of infrastructure panels 400′ to each other so thatinfrastructure attachment plains 412 and 412′ of panels 400 and 400′ arefacing one towards the other. It should be appreciated that structure402 may be connected to the ceiling or the floor by connecting meanssuch as strings 404 or pillars (not shown). Other connecting means maybe used as known in the art. According to some embodiments, structure402 may not be connected to the floor or the ceiling and may have a baseelement (not shown) to allow structure 402 to stand autonomously, thusallowing structure 402 to be portable, and placed in changing positions.

Reference is now made of FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D and 5E, which provideexemplary external panels 500A-500E according to embodiments of thepresent invention, each external panel 500A-500E may have a face 505,and edges 510.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, one or more ofedges 510 of external panels 500A-500E may be bent rearwards (i.e.,towards the surface to be covered). According to some embodiments, whenexternal panel 500A-500E is installed, bent edges 510 may besubstantially perpendicular to surface (105 in FIG. 1A).

According to some embodiments, external panels 500A-500E may be made ofa film of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ABS, Polycarbonate (PC),Polypropylene (PP), and any other thermoplastic material. It should beappreciated that thermoset materials may also be used, when formingexternal panels by casting.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, external panels500 may be made from organic materials such as paper or wood chips, inpressing process.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the film mayhave a thickness in the range of 0.5-10 millimeters (mm).

As may be seen in FIGS. 5A-5E, external panels 500A-500E may have anon-flat face 505. It should be appreciated however, that externalpanels may have a flat face (i.e., when external panel is installed inplace, face 505 is substantially parallel to infrastructure attachmentplain 112 in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C).

As seen in FIGS. 5A-5E, according to some embodiments, external panels500B and 500C may have a non-flat face 505 (e.g., a curved face, a bulgyface and the like). It should be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat other dimensions, shapes, face and edges structure and texturedesigns and colors of external panels 500A-500E may be used.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, external panels500A-500E may be made fully or partially transparent to allow light topath therethrough. It should be appreciated that, when using non opaqueinfrastructure panels and external panels, a light source may be placedbetween surface (105 in FIG. 1A) and infrastructure panel (100 inFIG. 1) and may serve as an in wall light.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a flowchart of a method forapplying surface cover panels to a surface, according to someembodiments of the present invention. As seen in block 610 the methodmay comprise attaching a first infrastructure panel to a surface byattaching a plurality of infrastructure attachment plains to the firstinfrastructure panel to the surface to be covered. It should beappreciated that the surface may be a wall, a ceiling, anotherinfrastructure panel and any other surface. As seen in block 620, afterattaching a first infrastructure panel, additional infrastructure panelsmay be attached proximal to the previously installed panel, to create anarray of infrastructure panels to cover the entire surface. It should beappreciated that the surface, according to some embodiments of thepresent invention, mat be a wall or a ceiling a or a portion thereof or,as illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, may be another infrastructurepanels array facing in an opposite direction. It should be furtherappreciated that attaching of infrastructure panels to a surface may beby means of adhesives, by mean of plaster, by mean of screws or nails orby other attaching means known in the art.

According to some embodiments, proximal infrastructure panels may heinstalled so that niches crossing one infrastructure panel in onedirection may be aligned with niches of a first proximal infrastructurepanel crossing the first proximal infrastructure panel in a firstdirection and niches crossing one infrastructure panel in a seconddirection may be aligned with niches of second proximal infrastructurepanel crossing the second proximal infrastructure panel in a seconddirection. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatother arrangements of infrastructure panels may be applied.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, after installingan array of infrastructure panels on the surface to be covered uncoveredmargins may remain. With reference to block 630. it is seen that inorder to cover the uncovered margins, one or more additionalinfrastructure panels may he cut along one or more niches of eachadditional infrastructure panel to fit to cover the uncovered margins ofthe surface.

After the entire surface is covered with infrastructure panels and/orportions cut to shape thereof, external panels may be installed (block640). The installation of external panels, according to some embodimentsof the present invention, may be done by placing a first external panelso that all of the external panel's edges are retained within a niche inat least one infrastructure panel.

According to some embodiments, when required a mediating panel may beplaced between infrastructure panels and external panels, as seen indashed block 633.

According to dome embodiments, prior to covering some or all of theinfrastructure panels with external panels an adhesive may be applied tosome or all of the support plains or to the internal face (i.e., theface of the external panel facing the infrastructure panel wheninstalled) of external panels (block 635)

Alternatively or additionally, after installing some of the externalpanels on the infrastructure panels, a filling material may be appliedto fill the gaps between proximal external panels and to retail externalpanels in place (block 645)

It would be appreciated that, prior to infrastructure panels beingattached, channels may be placed to run wiring, pipes and the like, tobe covered by the infrastructure panels.

While certain features of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, andequivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art, It istherefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended tocover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spiritof the invention.

1. A system for decorative covering of various surfaces of a premise, abuilding, or transportation vehicles and/or for delimiting open spacesettings e.g. walls and/or ceiling and/or partitions said systemcomprising at least a first and a second panel, while the first panelbeing a back infrastructure panel and the second panel being an externalcovering panel provided with a decorative pattern, said second panelbeing removable attachable to the first panel, said first panel isdefined by an attachment plain securable immediately on the surface tobe covered or securable on partitions of an airy infrastructure fordelimiting open space settings, and by an opposite support plainconfigured and dimensioned to support the second panel upon attachingthe second panel to the first panel.
 2. A system for decorative coveringas defined in claim 1, in which the support plain of the first panel isprovided with an array of substructures which are designed anddimensioned to provide support to the second panel after it is attachedto the first panel.
 3. A system for decorative covering as defined inclaim 2, in which said attachment plain and said support plain of thefirst panel are spaced apart from each other by at least one separationwall.
 4. A system for decorative covering as defined in claim 1, inwhich at least the first panel is made of a thermoplastic polymericmaterial.
 5. A system for decorative covering as defined in claim 4, inwhich said first panel has a thickness of 0.5-3 mm.
 6. A system fordecorative covering as defined in claim 1, in which at least the firstpanel is made of a non-toxic, washable thermoplastic polymeric material.7. A system for decorative covering as defined in claim 1, in which thefirst panel is securable on the surface to be covered by an adhesive orby a mechanical means,
 8. A system for decorative covering as defined inclaim 2, in which each support plain of the first panel is configuredand dimensioned to engage a portion of the second panel to providestructural support thereto.
 9. A system for decorative covering asdefined in claim 1, in which at least the first panel is made of atleast partially transparent material to allow light to pass therethrough.
 10. A system for decorative covering as defined in claim 2, inwhich to one or more first panels are attached one or more secondpanels.
 11. A system for decorative covering as defined in claim 2, inwhich each second panel is provided with a face bearing the decorativepattern and said second panel is provided with edges directed towardsthe first panel being substantially perpendicular to the attachmentplain of the first panel.
 12. A system for decorative covering asdefined in claim 2, in which said first panel is provided with at leastone niche situated between adjacent substructures, wherein said at leastone niche is configured and dimensioned to receive and accommodatetherein edges of the adjacent second panels.
 13. A system for decorativecovering as defined in claim 12, comprising an array of second panelsattached to the array of substructures of the first panel.
 14. A systemfor decorative covering as defined in claim 13, comprising an array ofsecond panels configured with dissimilar shape.
 15. A system fordecorative covering as defined in claim 11, in which said face is flat.16. A system for decorative covering as defined in claim 11, in whichsaid face is not flat.
 17. A system as defined in claim 11, comprising amediating panel, situated between the first and the second panel andadapted to support face of the second panel.
 18. A system for decorativecovering as defined in claim 2, in which said array of substructures ofthe first panel is configured as a matrix.
 19. A system for decorativecovering as defined in 18, in which said array is 8×8 matrix.
 20. Asystem for decorative covering as defined in claim 12, in which uponattachment of the second panel to the first panel the edges of theadjacent second panels are received within the niche provided betweenadjacent substructures of the first panel.
 21. A system for decorativecovering as defined in claim 20, in which said niche is defined by adepth, which is equal to a distance between support plain of the firstpanel and attachment plain of the first panel.
 22. A system fordecorative covering as defined in claim 11, in which said face isprovided with at least one depression, which receives and accommodatetherein a filling material.
 23. A system for decorative covering asdefined in claim 1, in which at least one channel is provided betweenthe surface to be covered and the first panel, said channel is adaptedto accommodate a wiring, pipes or any other required items.
 24. A systemfor decorative covering as defined in claim 1, comprising a base elementto allow the system to stand autonomously and be portable.
 25. A systemfor decorative covering as defined in claim 1, for covering an airyinfrastructure made for example from metal chassis.
 26. A system fordecorative covering as defined in claim 1, comprising a double sidedfirst back panels coverable from both sides by second and third facepanels
 27. A method for decorative covering of various surfaces of apremise or a building, or a transportation vehicles e.g. and/or of anopen space settings e.g. walls and/or ceiling and/or partitionscomprising a) providing at least a first and a second panel, while thefirst panel being a back infrastructure panel and the second panel beingan external covering panel provided with a decorative pattern, saidfirst panel is defined by an attachment plain and by an opposite supportplain configured and dimensioned to support the second panel uponattaching the second panel to the first panel. b) securing the firstinfrastructure panel to the surface to be covered; c) securingadditional first infrastructure panels proximal to the previouslyattached first infrastructure panels; d) attaching the second externalcovering panels to the support plains of the first panels.
 28. A methodfor decorative covering, as defined in claim 25, in which said firstpanels are secured on the surface to be covered by an adhesive, by aplaster or by a suitable mechanical means.
 29. A method for decorativecovering, as defined in claim 26, in which second panels are secured onthe support plains of the first panel by an adhesive or by a plaster.30. A method for decorative covering, as defined in claim 25, comprisingdeployment of a mediating panel between the first panel and the secondpanel.
 31. A method for decorative covering as defined in claim 25,comprising arranging channels on the surface to be covered, saidchannels being configured and dimensioned to run wiring pipes or otheritems, said channels are arranged on the surface to be covered beforeattaching the first panel thereto.
 32. A method for decorative coveringas defined in claim 25, comprising cutting the first panels uponsecuring thereof on the surface to be covered in order to coveruncovered margins, wherein said cutting is carried out before attachingthe second panels to the first panels.
 33. A method for decorativesettings as defined in claim 25 comprising a stand-alone infrastructureto which the first panel can he attached.
 34. A method for creatingdecorative partitions as defined in claim 25 comprising a double sidefirst panel where the second surface panels can be attached to bothsides of the first back panel
 35. A method for creating decorativepartitions for delimiting a space, as defined in claim 25 comprising twofirst back panels attached back to back where the second surface panelscan be attached to each side of the back panels.